Fact check: Miss World 2023 in Kashmir is not final; reports "unfounded"

The reports of 71st Miss World 2023 contest being held in Kashmir later this year was met with enthusiasm and excitement. It was reported that 140 countries could participate in the mega fashion event, but the reports are incorrect. 

The claim

A press briefing was held in Srinagar on Tuesday, which was attended by Miss World, Karolina Bielawski, Miss India, Sini Shetty, Miss World Caribbean, Emmy Pena and Miss World England Jessica Gagen and Miss World America Shree Saini and Miss Asia Pricilia Carla Saputri Yules. In the brefing, Bielawski addressed the media suggesting Kashmir would be the best place to host an event like Miss World. 

"Kashmir has everything and it is the best place to host an event like Miss World. I am so grateful to see the beautiful place in India, the beautiful lakes here, everyone has welcomed us nicely. The hospitality we got was wonderful. It would be exciting to see 140 countries participating in the event. Every place has its own beauty, but the pleasant hospitality here has been overwhelming," Karolina Bielawski said.

All pageant winners had breakfast with other dignitaries at a local five-star hotel.

Miss World America, Shree Saini and Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organisation joined the pageant winners' Kashmir tour. Post the briefing, it was widely reported that Miss World 2023 would be held in Kashmir after three decades. 

Fact check

International Business Times recieved clarification regarding the statements made during the press briefing. Speaking to IBTimes, Rouble Nagi of Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, said that no such announcements were made at the briefing. Though it would be great if Miss World was to be held in Kashmir, the concerned authorities haven't made an official statement on the matter, rendering the reports baseless, she said. 

Jamil Saidi, Chairman PME Entertainment, who was also also present at the breakfast meeting, later clarified that the reports of Miss World 2023 Finale being held in Kashmir are incorrect. 

"On behalf of the Miss World Organisation, we would like to strongly state that news of the main Miss World 2023 Finale is being held in Kashmir is unfounded and incorrect. As officially announced by PME Entertainment and Miss World organisation, the venue for the finale is to be finalised and will be announced officially at a later date," Jamil Saidi said.

Further, Bielawski's statement was taken out of context. The Miss World had merely said that Kashmir would be the best place to "host an event like Miss World" but she didn't mention anytime that the event is actually being held in the valley. 

Julia Morley, CEO of the Miss World also said that Kashmir is a "beautiful and diverse region" with a "rich culture and history", adding that the pageant would help to "highlight the beauty of Kashmir to the world." No confirmations of Miss World 2023 being held in Kashmir were made.

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